South Australian Cruising Boat

Hello all,
I’ve just signed up when I saw there was an Australian section to this forum. I’ve just returned to Adelaide and am looking for a new (old) cruising boat.

This is the wish list:
-30 – 36 ft; berths for at least 4, more is a bonus
-Preferably twin diesel, shaft drive; enough power to handle the conditions but displacement travel is ok;
-Classical styling, not all plastic.
-Good sized cockpit for fishing
-Something that won’t send me broke
-Something that would handle a cruise out to Kangaroo Island for a few days, or a bay hop to Port Lincoln with the family
-Budget up to $100,000

After considering everything from ex crayboats, to Bertrams, old Cresta’s, Clippers, motor sailers, imported mini Tugs and Egg Harbors, - I may have found what I’m looking for.
The boat is made by Ho Sing Motor Yacht Co (who I’ve never heard of) A fiberglass displacement hull with twin 120 hp Ford Lehmans and shaft drives. It is similar to a 34 ft Clipper, but with a bit more length, beam and draft. Nice fitout, although the teak decks may need some time spent on them.

My only concern - Would this old girl handle St Vincent Gulf wind and chop, and/or a 1 or 2 meter swell if she had to? I don’t expect a blue water passage maker, just something which will handle a sudden weather change.
Any info or opinions of Ho Sing Yachts would be appreciated.
Steve

Welcome to TF.Sorry I can't be of any help on this boat.

Hi Steve, Welcome on board.
That`s a tough one. Without knowing the boat,or the sea conditions of St Vincents Gulf, it`s near impossible to answer, especially as you ask how it would withstand a "sudden weather change", which implies potentially severe wind and wave, greater than you describe.I`m aware the southern coastline can get severe weather,there being not much between it and the Antarctic, and the Gulf is open to southern weather. The fast catamaran ferry across to Kangaroo Island (KI), (likely of special interest to esteemed member RTF), can be an exciting experience.
You could try to find someone local with a similar hull on a similar size boat and ask them.Try a motor boat Club. A local marine surveyor (presumably you`ll use one for pre purchase check) should be able to advise you.I`d hope most semi displacement twin diesel cruisers would handle what you describe if they had to, but it`s a local thing,and the boat is unknown to me.I`ve done the 20 mile transit from Sydney to Broken Bay in worse. Operator skill is a component, so is the actual condition of the boat,as well as design and build quality.
The Cresta 32 has a good sea keeping reputation and is popular for offshore fishing,it was a good choice, so is the Masters 34,though it`s usually single engine. Neither would give you the accommodation fit out you describe.
If you think the decks need work, be careful. Are they teak planking on top, if so what`s happening underneath? Leaking decks are hard work and expensive, and should be carefully assessed at the pre purchase survey inspection. BruceK

I found a 1985 Ho Hsing 36 on "www. Boatpoint.com.au", there is only one, ditto on www.yachthub.com.au". It has a single Ford Lehman, an aft cabin, lavish carved teak fitout,nice looking boat, priced at 170K( seems a lot!) appears to have teak laid decks.There are no hull pics out of the water, the hull is flared at the bow, similar to my Island Gypsy. It`s what many call a "Taiwanese Trawler", design and quality varies builder to builder,boat to boat. I`ve an old article on these boats generally which I can send if you give me your email address. BruceK

Hi Steve, I can't comment on the boat but I can on the area. I cruise these waters in a 65 foot trawler and have been very uncomfortable at times and even a little scared. At 36 feet you will be fine and will have a ball but be prepared to tell your crew "sorry not today" or "were staying another night" as I have done on occasions.
Adam

Thanks for your input guys. Yes it is a typical Taiwanese trawler, with I expect would have standard teak deck issues. The owner tells me they are in good shape with no leaks but.... The boat is in Perth so I have only seen photo's so far, bit it appears very similar to the CHB Clippers. I'll definitely get a pre-purchase survey with extra attention paid to the decks.
My main safety concern with the walk around decks is getting water over the bow and it would run back and fill the cockpit, rather than running off the sides. The cockpit doesn't appear to be self draining. How is the water shed? Surely you don't have to open an engine hatch and let the bilge pump get rid of it. Is this an issue with this style boat, or am I missing something here? Or is this style of boat better to remain in water where this has no chance of ever happening.
I know this area enough to know that I don't know enough.
Steve

Hi Steve, welcome aboard the Downunder Bus. This vessel you describe sounds very like my Clipper 34, but a bit bigger all over. It's not Cheoy Lee 35 by any chance...? Probably not, because they have side decks that are flush with the cabin sides for more interior volume, but definitely have a draining cockpit. Anyway, based on what my boat can handle, I'd say it would be seaworthy enough, if in sound condition, to do what you want in sensibly chosen conditions. However, I am a bit puzzled by the reference to lack of cockpit drainage. Whether aft cabin or sedan, it should still have scuppers at intervals along the side decks and the cockpit - put it this way - I've never seen a trawler style boat without them, so maybe you are just not seeing them in the photos...? If you can give us a link, or post some of the photos we could comment further.

Greetings,
Mr. AusCan. Welcome aboard. I must confess, I know nothing of boating conditions in Aus or NZ but Mr. Bruce K's suggestion of "mining" local knowledge is spot on. I looked up the Adelaide area on Google maps. Looks to be a beautiful area although Mr. K again raises a valid point in that other than Kangaroo Island, your projected cruising area is open all the way to Antarctica! Cool...
Depending how good and consistent the Aus. weather service is and just how quickly the weather DOES and CAN change, you may be fine with the type of vessel you're considering.

Here's the link,

Ho Hosing - Capella: Power Boats | Boats Online for Sale | Fibreglass | Western Australia (WA) - Hillarys Perth

Peter - Maybe the photo's aren't high enough resolution, or maybe its my eyes, but I dont see any scuppers. That concerns me a little.

Mr Firefly - Yes it is a beautiful area, and I've learned to you have to respect the ocean out here. She got some power. I'm slowly getting to know her.
The Australian weather forecasting is usually good for 24 hrs, but after that its a guessing game.
Steve

This one has photos of the cockpit. Still no scuppers.

Used Power Boats Capella 36 Clipper - Boats On Sale

Great looking boat ! Interiors look excellent and exterior appearance also good. Scuppers MUST be there somewhere, ask broker to take photos of these specifically. Worry more about the screwed-teak decks AND state of fuel tanks, very likely black iron. Both need special attention by surveyor as if decks and fuel tanks are original, they are at or nearing end of working life....and replacement is expensive for each.

As PeterB says, it definitely looks like a bigger Marine Trader/Clipper, so the hull design should be fine.If it didn`t have scuppers it would have sunk, they are there somewhere.
The twin FLs are a big plus. Price range seems fair. Maxhopper`s advice is good;thinking back,I`d be reluctant to do the crossing to KI in my IG36 unless very confident of the weather.The area lies in the region where sailing ships named the winds "the roaring forties",for giving fast passage across the southern coastline west to east.
For those in the US, KI is a fairly pristine farming island off the coast of the state of South Australia, famous for dairy products, honey,more koalas than it can accommodate, kangaroos,platypus, penguins, visiting whales,etc.
The Aussie chapter is growing. BruceK

I had a closer look at some photos of other Ho Hsing's (I found a few variants of the spelling) and I definitely see scuppers. OK - I'm relieved. I can take a bit of water over the bow (not that I plan to with the windows of the average recreational trawler).
So I'll go ahead with the survey, looking closely at decks, fuel tank and window issues. All advice suggests the decks are probably the big one, especially in a climate like Perth or Adelaide. The hot dry summers would shrink the teak, then when the rain comes it gets into any crevice. And by the sounds of it, the work required in dealing with a leaky deck left too long is a nightmare.

Maxhopper; wise words about delaying whenever necessary. It may be possible for me to berth at Christmas Cove or American River and catch the ferry back, but usually my time is pretty flexible. I'm normally looking for excuses to hang around a bit longer.
I'll keep an eye out for you. You should be easy to spot. Now - that's a trawler you've got there. Where do you berth her?

Steve

south australian fishing boat (scuppers)










these are the scuppers of the boat you are talking about,i went to hillarys this morning and took some pics. i saw the broker and got a key to the slip and the boat,i have some more pics but this old lappy don't like me.

gordon.

hi Steve. the boat has a small mast, boom,etc,maybe put up a steading sail.someone is working on the boat as the floor was up and blocking access to the front cabin.i asked about the draft as it seemed big at 5' 6" the broker did not know if it was correct or not but my bro's de fever 49 only draws 4' 6" he did say they draw more than other boats the same length.

Thanks Gord, Much appreciated.
What was your quick impression of the overall condition?
Hopefully there hasn't been too much water getting into the core below those decks.
There looks to be a few extra screws and plugs added over the years. I'll be able to look here over and get a survey in a few weeks when I get back to Australia. If all is well, we might have a deal.
Steve

hi Steve don't know how you would wash your face in the sink in the head,i hope the top lifts up,i didn't check it out. also a pic of the only rope on a boat its that little bit on the bell.
gordon.

Aus Can,
Not to be to flippant, if you pick it up at Hillarys and sail it around to Adelaide accross the Bight you should have all thebugs and weak spots sorted bythe time you tie up at home.

Mate if the boat comes up well under survey and it is pretty solid, with caution and high regard for the seas and wind down your way it would suit you down to the ground.
As with all the Asian boatsit requires a VG survey and the possibility of doing some work to get it up to scratch.
I would most likely truck it accross to SA if you purchased it.
That Bight is one big bit of country.

Cheers
Benn

Gordon, Thanks again mate.
Who needs a sink when you have a bath?

Benn- I'd be runnining with the prevailing wind, so once I ran out of fuel, I could string one of the bedsheets up on the mast. Keep an eye out for me Maxhopper!
I might have tried it 25 years ago, but i've learned a bit the hard way since then.
I think the 10 grand or so for trucking will be cheaper and safer (although not as exciting).
Steve

Gday Steve, Im over at Port Lincoln so I will see you floating past with your bed sheet up and go on and take the bite on, you only live once but this may shorten it.
My old girl is a bit hard to hide so if your over this way keep an eye out for an unusual looking prawn trawler.
Adam

AusCan, those Capella 36s were also sold here under the name of Blue Seas 36, and they are excellent boats. (They were my dream boat actually until my wife insisted on a sedan version with aft cockpit - or else...so the search went on). There is a Blue Seas 36 sedan type with aft cockpit also, but rarer back when they were made - like my Clipper.
Yes, definitely they have scuppers, as Flashwillie's pics confirm. It looks in good nick, and anything that old, with an engine room looking that clean, has had to have been looked after quite well I think. If the surveys fairly ok - I say fairly, as it won't be perfect - it looks like a good buy if you want an aft cabin layout. Keep us informed.

Steve,
Gordon,inspecting,taking and posting pics to help, is TF at its best.I`m familiar with Blue Seas,did not realise this is the same boat, not seen one here with aft cabin. We had one in my bay with Volvos,FLs are better.
The boat looks good overall,the window frames look to have had recent work,being varnished you can tell what`s there. And a bath,wow! If it has been painted the paint may come up well with a good polish.
I do not like the look of the decks,you may want to factor some cost into the price, but I doubt it`s a deal breaker.
I`m no fan of using the delivery voyage to check the boat out either, especially across the Great Australian Bight. Friends near came to grief doing Gold Coast> Sydney like that.But if you do,give the old bedsheets a good wash,no airing of dirty linen in public.BruceK

After speaking to a few more people about the teak decks, it has made me wary. The initial cost, plus trucking, plus replacing the decks is already stretching the budget, without including any other surprises. I have re-evaluated and decided to start in a bit lower price range.
What I am considering now is a 1981 35 ft Millkraft ex-trawler. It has a timber hull; the deck, cabin and flybridge are plywood over timber frame and fiberglassed.
Powered by a Fiat Iveco 8361 170hp. Capital 4-12 Hec gearbox
The interior isn't quite as flashy as the Cappella but it appears to be a good honest boat. I'm giving up the twin screw, but it is half the price.
Anyone have experience with these Brisbane built trawlers? (or the Iveco?)

Millkraft have a great name. Going for a single screw is a good idea when you want to save: more room to work on the engine, 1/2 the mtc cost and time and you can afford to do sensible upgrades if needed (like multi-stage fuel filtration). Obviously you will get a surveyor expererienced in timber vessels to go over hull, decks and house. What about the fuel and water tanks...what are they made of and can you assess condition? Are you able to post a link to photos?

Here's the link. Its a Sydney boat.
Used 1981 MILLKRAFT EX-TRAWLER Boat For Sale - boatsales.com.au
Just a few basic photo's there. I recieved a copy of a survey done 3 years ago and she all checked out well then, but I'll be getting another regardless.
The main reasons i was leaning towards twin screws is for manouverability in a tight marina in the wind. She gets fairly breezy here in South Ausstralia and any flybridge really catches it. Backup power is also a consideration, limping home on one engine. But yes, a single is cheaper, and I could spend the money on getting everything more dependable.

Actually - its moored up at Lakes Entrance. Any suggestions for a good marine surveyor in the area?

Ahhhh - I mean Lake Macquarie. (I've looked at far too many boats)

Aus Can,
Millkraft were great timber boat builders,(confirm authenticity),no mention of timber used.
Is it spotted gum planks on hard wood frames.
Good timber boat builder for survey to check nails and fastenings,caulking etc.
The Fiat is a good engine and plenty more HP than required so it can be used very econimaclly.
Built 81 so not old for a timber boat so should be in GC.
3 years is a long time, especially if the boat has not been hauled and antifouled at least every 12 months.
I wouldn't worry about single engine too much , remember diesel engines require, fuel ,air and cooling. 3 basics. keep it serviced and it will see you out.
Water tanks are easily replaced either in stainless or plastic. me I prefer stainless.
If original the fuel tanks are probably steel but most likely tar epoxy coated so should be in GC.Drain them and check them internally is my reccomendation.
Cheers
Benn

The trawler origins are all there, looks like a tough boat.
Lake Macquarie is close to Newcastle; try there for a surveyor. Maybe check Afloat magazine, or ask Club Marine, I think they have a list of surveyors most areas.There is a TF member on the Lake who might know, I can`t recall the name.(You don`t want it surveyed by the broker`s brother-in-law.)
Thought about getting it to South Australia? Give some thought to the Swansea bar for exiting the Lake. Road may be cheaper,and less exciting, especially with a "new" boat.
If you search Boatpoint under Millkraft, you`ll see what they built and get a sense of their strong reputation. BruceK

AusCan: Lake Macquarie is a major boating area and there are plenty of timber-boat-experienced surveyors there and at nearby Newcastle. Don't worry about the Swansea bar...it is fine if you go out top of tide in calm conditions....but that is NOT a boat to take around to SA via sea unless you are very experienced/hire an experienced skipper AND have put the time & $$ in first before leaving L Mac to making sure all is right. Bruce is right: use road transport if you go ahead.